LCEC to stage outreach tent in Sanibel LCEC announced that they will stage an outreach tent at 1700 Periwinkle Way on Monday, October 14.
Fort Myers Beach works to recover from Hurricane Milton For the first time since Hurricane Milton ravaged the area, Fort Myers Beach officially reopened to the public Saturday morning.
North end of Manasota Key open to residents and businesses According to Charlotte County, the north end of Manasota Key opened to residents and businesses at 4 p.m on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Harry Chapin Food Bank holds emergency food distributions after Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, many Southwest Florida residents are facing increased hardship, including food insecurity.
Charlotte County to hold news conference regarding Milton Charlotte County is set to hold a news conference to provide an update on its response to Hurricane Milton.
President Biden approves federal aid for Florida after Hurricane Milton President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
ENGLEWOOD Hurricane Milton survivors face delays as FEMA aid remains unavailable In the wake of Hurricane Milton, many Floridians are facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, but financial assistance from the government is in short supply.
FORT MYERS Debris drop-off sites in Lee County In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Lee County officials have announced the planned opening of multiple public debris drop-off sites to aid residents in managing storm damage.
The weather authority A drier start to the weekend with a few showers expected The Weather Authority says we are starting out the day with temperatures feeling rather pleasant in the low 70s under partly cloudy skies.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA Recovery efforts on Sanibel and Captiva after Milton Crews have opened the Sanibel causeway to everyone, even those without a hurricane re-entry pass, but the city asks that people avoid the island unless they live there or need to travel there for business.
CAPE CORAL Boat pulled away by storm surge lands in Cape Coral backyard A boat built by a father and son smashed into pieces after Hurricane Milton. Not only did the boat wash onto shore, but it washed into the seawall of someone’s home on McGregor Boulevard.
MANASOTA KEY Residents hope to return home to Manasota Key Life will never be the same for people living on Manasota Key. Right now, only emergency services and county officials are allowed on the island.
Man rescued by two Charlotte County residents during Milton Two Charlotte County men saved an evacuee during Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night.
MATLACHA Impact on local businesses on Matlacha after Milton Residents are focused on rebuilding one brick at a time.
LCEC to stage outreach tent in Sanibel LCEC announced that they will stage an outreach tent at 1700 Periwinkle Way on Monday, October 14.
Fort Myers Beach works to recover from Hurricane Milton For the first time since Hurricane Milton ravaged the area, Fort Myers Beach officially reopened to the public Saturday morning.
North end of Manasota Key open to residents and businesses According to Charlotte County, the north end of Manasota Key opened to residents and businesses at 4 p.m on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Harry Chapin Food Bank holds emergency food distributions after Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, many Southwest Florida residents are facing increased hardship, including food insecurity.
Charlotte County to hold news conference regarding Milton Charlotte County is set to hold a news conference to provide an update on its response to Hurricane Milton.
President Biden approves federal aid for Florida after Hurricane Milton President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
ENGLEWOOD Hurricane Milton survivors face delays as FEMA aid remains unavailable In the wake of Hurricane Milton, many Floridians are facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, but financial assistance from the government is in short supply.
FORT MYERS Debris drop-off sites in Lee County In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Lee County officials have announced the planned opening of multiple public debris drop-off sites to aid residents in managing storm damage.
The weather authority A drier start to the weekend with a few showers expected The Weather Authority says we are starting out the day with temperatures feeling rather pleasant in the low 70s under partly cloudy skies.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA Recovery efforts on Sanibel and Captiva after Milton Crews have opened the Sanibel causeway to everyone, even those without a hurricane re-entry pass, but the city asks that people avoid the island unless they live there or need to travel there for business.
CAPE CORAL Boat pulled away by storm surge lands in Cape Coral backyard A boat built by a father and son smashed into pieces after Hurricane Milton. Not only did the boat wash onto shore, but it washed into the seawall of someone’s home on McGregor Boulevard.
MANASOTA KEY Residents hope to return home to Manasota Key Life will never be the same for people living on Manasota Key. Right now, only emergency services and county officials are allowed on the island.
Man rescued by two Charlotte County residents during Milton Two Charlotte County men saved an evacuee during Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night.
MATLACHA Impact on local businesses on Matlacha after Milton Residents are focused on rebuilding one brick at a time.
Hammond Stadium maybe “Twins Territory,” but Fort Myers is Tommy’s territory. Minnesota Twins third base coach Tommy Watkins, appropriately nicknamed “The Mayor,” is back home for Spring Training. “It’s always good being back,” Watkins said. “Good to see my family for sure. You know grocery store restaurants always run into somebody I know.” The Lee Health Sports Complex might as well be Watkins’ home. He’s been part of the organization for over 25 years. He spent numerous springs here working out with the Twins as a player, even playing for the Fort Myers Miracle. Now, he’s getting ready for his sixth season as a Twins base coach. “It’s definitely a rush,” Watkins explained. When I send somebody home, close play at the plate. But it’s fun. You feel like you’re part of the game and you can help the team win Watkins knew when he was done playing, he was going to be a coach. He got an early taste of that whenever he returned to his alma mater, Riverdale High School, to give advice to the Raiders players. “I think that kind of helped me, you know, want to go on that path and coach and when I got done playing,” Watkins said. Watkins’ high school coach, Bob Pringle, said Watkins’ strength was his mind. “He wasn’t the fastest guy,” Pringle explained. “He wasn’t the biggest strongest but he knew where to take the right steps to give him the advantage. Reading batters knowing what pitchers and patterns they were in. Just baseball things that made him above everybody else.” Those smarts, along with his infectious personality, attracted the attention of scouts. One even predicted Watkins’ future. “The scout said this kid is going to get drafted because of the way he is,” Pringle recalled. “I want my name attached to him. And he told me after that this kid has a chance to be a big league coach one day.” Watkins’ legacy lives on at Riverdale. He’s the namesake for the team’s highest honor, The Tommy Watkins Award. In the clubhouse, a plaque of the award winners says, “for the love of the game.” That love of the game has kept Watkins in the game. When he was asked if he aspires to be a big league manager, Watkins responded, “I would like to one day, but I want to be good at this, coaching third base. And you know, when the time is right to move up, hopefully I’m be ready, you know, but I just want to be good at what I’m doing right now. And hopefully down the road get the opportunity to do bigger things.”